Trader Vic’s History

Victor Bergeron first opened his restaurant Hinky Dink’s in Oakland in 1932, and it soon became the Bay area hot spot. Vic’s take on Polynesian cuisine and his potent cocktails packed them in. By 1936, what was known as Bergeron’s Hinky Dink’s had become Trader Vic’s; it was even written that “the best restaurant in San Francisco is in Oakland."

Since the early days, people around the world have fallen into the mystique and the Trader has become legend. The restaurant’s recipes – both for the food and the cocktails – reflect the founder’s personality: distinctive, light-hearted and impressive.

Seattle’s first Trader Vic’s was in the downtown Westin Hotel in 1949. Throughout its local reign and well into the 1960s, Trader Vic’s was heralded as THE place to dress to the nines and dine--easily considered a peer of such revered restaurants as Canlis and Rosellini’s. Trader Vic’s can now be found around the globe, including cosmopolitan destinations such as London, Bangkok, Munich, and Dubai. Bellevue is the 24th Trader Vic’s location.

For more history visit the home of Trader Vic's online at www.tradervics.com